Kidnapped 10-year-old girl released in Colombia

Kidnapped 10-year-old girl released in Colombia

In Colombia, kidnappers have released the 10-year-old daughter of a local mayor who was held for 18 days.

El Espectador newspaper reported that Nohora Valentina Munoz was released near the Venezuelan border and was reunited with her family.

President Juan Manuel Santos said on Monday night: "We are celebrating the freedom of Nohora Valentina. We thank the International Committee of the Red Cross for its efforts [in mediating her release]."

Thousands of troops and police were reportedly involved in efforts to rescue Nohora.

The BBC said it was unclear who kidnapped the girl as she walked to school in the town of Fortul near the Colombian border with Venezuela on 29 September.

She was taken by masked gunmen with her mother, who was released almost immediately.

The left-wing guerrilla groups Farc and ELN denied involvement, and condemned the abduction.

The Guardian reports that few details have been given surrounding her release - such as whether a ransom was paid or who kidnapped her.